Learn Kintsugi from an Artisan at a Lacquer Studio in Kyoto – Repair Your Favorite Vintage Japanese Tableware

Hyobodo : A Couple-Run Workshop Preserving the Art of Lacquer

Ukyo Ward in Kyoto City is dotted with historic temples and blessed with lush mountains and majestic rivers. It’s also home to the workshop of Hyobodo, a lacquer crafts company. They restore Japanese temples, shrines, and art objects, and create lacquer art for public spaces.

Hyobodo's lacquerware matches both modern interiors and traditional Japanese landscapes

Hyobodo was founded by husband and wife team Terunori Sugimoto, a lacquer artist (Nushi), and Megumi Shimamoto, a makieshi artist who decorates lacquer with gold powder. "The word 'lacquer' (urushi) comes from the Japanese 'uruwashii,' meaning 'beautiful.' We want people worldwide to experience the elegance and luxury of lacquer," says Shimamoto.

Makieshi artist Megumi Shimamoto, who carefully explains the culture and philosophy of kintsugi

The studio offers kintsugi classes where you can repair your own cherished pottery. People of all ages and backgrounds attend, whether to fix a favorite piece or to learn about traditional culture. There is also a growing interest from overseas companies wanting to incorporate the philosophy of kintsugi into their training programs.

Discover Pottery and Give It New Life

Kintsugi is a unique Japanese repair technique that goes beyond fixing broken pottery; it breathes new life into it. Originating between the 14th and 16th centuries, it was inspired by a Chinese repair method that fixes ceramics with metal and evolved with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which celebrates imperfection and impermanence. This blend of beauty and philosophy has gained global attention. In this workshop, you'll learn about kintsugi's origins and philosophy from Shimamoto while experiencing the repair process firsthand.

Enjoy the selection of vintage pottery

You can choose from a selection of vintage pottery specially sourced by Hyobodo at Kyoto's antique markets, and exclusively curated for this Wabunka experience. Some pieces even come from long-established restaurants. When an object breaks, each crack or chip is unique. The curves and shapes are always different, making every kintsugi project a one-of-a-kind experience.

Practice kintsugi with special tools

The repair process varies depending on the object’s condition but follows a simple procedure: glue the pieces, fill gaps with a base coat, apply lacquer, and finish with gold or silver powder. Kintsugi, considered an artistic repair technique, is carefully done step-by-step, transforming the broken piece into a new work of art.

Even beginners can enjoy kintsugi with careful instruction from the basics

First, use special tools to glue the broken pieces back onto the main body. Next, apply lacquer to the bonded areas using a brush. To draw smooth and beautiful lines, rest your little finger on the object for stability while applying the lacquer.

Enjoy Tea Time and Conversation With Matcha and Japanese Sweets

Enjoy some conversation over matcha and Kyoto Japanese sweets during a mid-workshop tea break. Your instructor will share insights on the Buddhist concept of "mottainai" (waste not, want not) and the story of Tsukumogami - gods believed to inhabit all things.

Matcha and ubadama, a traditional Kyoto sweet with over 200 years of history (refreshments served vary by season)

Additionally, the workshop features numerous lacquer works, including captivating pieces adorned with luminous shells and butterfly shells. Enjoy the opportunity and unique pleasure of observing them up close.  (We kindly ask that you do not touch the artwork.)

Enjoy a variety of breathtakingly beautiful works up close

Working on Restoring Your Object is Akin to Meditation

After tea time, it's time for the finishing touches. Lacquer is applied to the damaged area, followed by decoration with silver, tin, or LG powder (aluminum powder). LG powder combines aluminum powder with gold plating, and is known for its resistance to rusting and dulling. You can also upgrade to gold or silver powder. Choose your favorite powder while envisioning the final product.

It's fun to select decorations that complement the object’s design and your preferences

The technique is to apply powder onto a special brush, then gently sweep it over the lacquer, as though brushing dust away. This process encourages deep concentration, akin to meditation, fostering a sense of tranquility. Decorating the broken part with your own hands brings a healing and enriching experience, both for the object and your spirit.

Decorating with powder brings a sense of calmness to your mind

Experience the Beauty of Imperfection

When an object breaks, its new shape is unpredictable. This uniqueness allows it to be reborn as a one-of-a-kind piece. Shimamoto notes, "Those who've tried kintsugi find imperfection more endearing than perfection. Many also discover the joy of embracing Japanese traditions, aspiring to become artisans."

An object reborn through kintsugi becomes a one-of-a-kind presence in the world

Experience kintsugi and gain a new perspective on objects, culture, and life by breathing new life into broken things. Discover the Japanese spirit of cherishing objects and sensing their life within.